San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-11-11
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, II, 1887.
THE AGONY is OVER.


The morning dispatches convey the
decision Of Governor Ogelsby in the an
archists cases, and that decision ia such
as will be very generally commended
1t refuses to interfere with the sentence
OF the law in the cases of Albert A. Par
sons. AdOlph Fischer. George Engel and
August Spies and cummutes the zen
fences Of Samuel FieIden and Michael
Schwsb to imprisonment for life
The reasons set forth for
this distinction In the dis
position of the prisoners is the very
simple and plain one that Schwab and
Fielden asked executive olemency and
the others refused to do so. declaring
that they would not accept OF commute
tion Of sentence. The reason why the
two committed men were given a life
sentence instead of the gaIlOws tree If
not set forth, only that certain good oiti
Zens had presented these two as proper
subjects for executive Clemency. OF this
result, of all the extraordinary efiorT-
made to save these men, the country al
large will be its own judge. The verdict
Of the jury Is pronounced by the chief
executive, who has gone carefully over
the whole case, a just one, in the follow
ing language.
"a careful consideration of the evidence in
the record of the trial of the parties as well
of oil aII, L.,
of the record, has tailed to produce upon my
m'nd any impression tendirg to impeach the
verdict of the jury or the Judgment Of the
trial court, or of the supreme court affirming
the gull. of all these parties"
Satisfied OF the guilt OF the parties as
determined by the, jury there was hut
one thing to consider, the prOpriety of
interpreting executive clemency. That
Governor Oglesby did not err 10 declin-
ing to grant Communication Of sentencr
to men who not only refused to ask for
1t, but who declared that they would
have none Of 1t II offered, will be the
opinion OF the country at large. The
honest old war governor has
proved himself man of firm
will and well balanced mind
In the trying ordeal to which
he has been subjected. The whole
country will breathe freer now
that the end has come and the result
has demonstrated that. while all classes
have accorded them the utmost freedom
OF speech 10 liberty glowing America,
when that freedom OF speech is carried
into license OF action which dlsrcgards
law and attempts TO subvert gov
ernment then, liberty loving America
becomes law-sblding America and
the penalty must follow the rhine. The
Chicago tragedy opening in Haymarket
squsre last May, closing in Cook county
jail today, will be a living lesson, illus
trated In crimson and bound in black,
teaching tue anarchists and revolution
lists BY force, of ali lands, that America
Is no asylum for the danger rus classes
who rail at government, declare war
against all authority and outlaw all who
are the officers OF the public peace
and security. While the sup
preston OF anarchist teachings
may not be feasible, it being so difficult
to draw the line accurately between
freedom OF speech and tie abuse, the
suppression OF the anarchist himself
who commits any overt act against the
peace of society or the life OF mis- fellow
Is always 10 order. The teaching of
Cook county gallows on this memorable
eleventh day OF November one thousand
eight-hundred and eighty seven is
this. America respects free speech
too highly and guards 1t too sa-
credly to permit any Interference
Herewith. it is therefore most incum-
bent upon her to hold TO a most rigid
accountability those whose abusive ex-
erclse OF that right Of free speech leads
to overt acts OF violence. The largest
liberty under law is only possible when
the penalties for violating law are most
rigidly enforced. The Chicago courts.
the supreme court Of Illinois, the su-
preme court OF the United States all
declare these anarchists to have COM
mitted crimes worthy Of death. To
this verdict the American people en-